cefm:And I can send a letter to Santa Claus demanding a hot-oil massage froma circa 1970 Raquelle Welch, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen.

How exactly would this have been enforced? The out-of state crews sign up with the utility, and the utility gives them orders and pays their invoices - the IBEW is not involved. They're free to take it up with the utility itself, but their letters aren't worth the paper they're printed on.